Re: FAQ education

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Mama Lani (lani@lava.net)
Fri, 9 Feb 1996 11:52:47 -1000 (HST)

On Fri, 9 Feb 1996, Danny R. Faught wrote:
> Ideally, the
> regulars of the group would eventually start helping to get the point
> across, and maybe we'll attract more regulars. I did see someone quote
> the FAQ once in response to a question, but only that once.

One of the things we have come to realize is that it makes a *BIG*
difference in unmoderated newsgroups, when:

1. There is a netiquette or welcome FAQ to the newsgroup itself, in
addition to the subject matter. For example, my welcome FAQ has
pointers to news.newusers.announce, and info on basic netiquette.
Keep in mind that many newbies, not knowing where they SHOULD go,
read only the newsgroups that are of personal interest to them.
2. When the FAQ maintainer(s) [either of the welcome FAQ or of the
subject FAQs] of the newsgroup is a noticeable regular in the
newsgroup. This isn't always the case. I think FAQ maintainers are
often seen as role models for 'net behavior--so a strong presence
of a FAQ maintainer who keeps things in line does a lot. When you
don't have this sort of guiding hand, you have no control over the
direction and flavor of a newsgroup. This of course, means that you
have to CARE about the newsgroup, and not just the FAQ itself.
You have to foster a sense of community, netizenship and responsibility
on the part of the subscribers.

* This is Lani Teshima-Miller, posting live from Honolulu, Hawaii on LAVA *
* Today in Hawaii 2/9: Cloudy, humid and warm. Probably in the mid-80s now*
* lani@lava.net--fun stuff; teshima@hawaii.edu--work. 1996 UA M+ Premier *
* Rec.arts.bodyart Tattoo FAQ maintainer...FDC Walkaround Mr. Potato Head *

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